Glassy-winged Sharpshooter
ExploreInsects
Glassy-winged Sharpshooter
Homalodisca vitripennis
The Glassy-winged Sharpshooter is a colorful insect with big wings that look like glass! They are known for their jumping skills and love to sip on plant juices.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Glassy-winged Sharpshooter is a dark brown to black insect, approximately half an inch long, with distinctive light yellow spots on its head and thorax. Its most striking feature is its transparent, 'glassy' wings, which are slightly tinted with red veins, giving it a unique, see-through appearance.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHemipteraFamilyCicadellidaeGenusHomalodisca
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Glassy wings look see-through, helping it blend into leaves.
It carries invisible germs that can make grapevines very sick!
It drinks hundreds of times its body weight in plant juice every day!
This tiny bug can shoot water out its rear like a miniature cannon!
Special abilities
Ability
Super Sip-and-Strip
Glassy-winged Sharpshooter can drink huge amounts of plant sap because of its powerful piercing-sucking mouthparts that helps them access plant xylem.
Ability
Liquid Launch
Glassy-winged Sharpshooter can shoot tiny jets of water from its rear end because of its efficient digestive system that helps them get rid of excess sap.
Ability
Invisible Pest Carrier
Glassy-winged Sharpshooter has a special ability to carry harmful bacteria that helps them spread serious diseases between many different plants.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 24-28 mm
- Size
- 12-14 mm
- Lifespan
- 60-90 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
This insect drinks nutrient-poor sap from plant stems and leaves all day long.
Primary Foods
- Grapevine sap
- Citrus tree sap
- Oleander sap
- Almond tree sap
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
shelters
Xylella bacterium
Xylella fastidiosa
Carries and protects bacteria that cause plant diseases.
eats
Common Grape Vine
Vitis vinifera
Feeds on sap, often spreading deadly Pierce's Disease.
eats
Sweet Orange
Citrus sinensis
Feeds on sap, potentially transmitting citrus variegation.
eats
Oleander
Nerium oleander
Feeds on sap, common host in gardens and landscapes.
parasitizes
Sharpshooter Parasitoid Wasp
Gonatopus ashmeadi
Larval wasps develop inside and consume sharpshooter nymphs.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
These insects are not dangerous, but it's best to watch them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Glassy-winged Sharpshooter's wingspan?
24-28 mm
How big is Glassy-winged Sharpshooter?
12-14 mm
How long does Glassy-winged Sharpshooter live?
60-90 days
What does Glassy-winged Sharpshooter eat?
This insect drinks nutrient-poor sap from plant stems and leaves all day long.
Where is Glassy-winged Sharpshooter usually found?
Urban areas
How does Glassy-winged Sharpshooter hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Glassy-winged Sharpshooter have?
6
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
.jpg&width=800)
